Cracow is enfranchised. The Grand Duchy of Posen has again become Polish. These are the arms which we have given you in one month."

Thus are the predicted onμeia, or mighty signs, working. The thirty-eighth of Ezekiel, too, is opening in providence its long-hidden meaning, and the Prince of Rhos, Meshech and Tubal, is making his voice heard among the tumultuous nations as having God on his side for his work.

Popery is everywhere throwing itself into these revolutions as if they were the perfection of Christianity. The Archbishop of Paris expresses full sympathy with the French Revolution. We read in the" Tablet," the beginning of this month, "The conduct of the Archbishop of Milan throughout the struggle is mentioned in terms of the highest admiration. That Prelate, from the commencement to the end of the conflict, shared all the dangers of the populace. His reverend figure was conspicuous, attired in pontifical robes, above the barricades, having the crucifix in one hand, and waving a tricoloured flag in the other." No wonder we see the modern phenomenon of a Liberal Pope rejoicing that his apostasy receives no damage by this Revolution. The harlot of Babylon is mounting the scarletcoloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns, that she may commit

her last iniquities and come to her final ruin. All we see has been clearly foretold.

6. A brief space of trial and distress, and probably of persecution and suffering, remains for true Christians;-it is the season of the last tribulation. But may we hear and obey the cheering voice of the Captain of our salvation to his Philadelphian Church,-"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly : hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." And again, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." My brethren, this season is THE MAGNIFICENT SEED-TIME, FOR THE HARVEST OF THE WHOLE EARTH. Out of this great tribulation shall come the great multitude which no man can number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, who wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It being so, now is emphatically for us the seedtime. We may do more for the salvation of men in this time than ever we could at any previous time. Scatter, then, the seed far and wide over the whole earth, avail yourselves of every opportunity, of every opening; in the morning sow thy

seed, in the evening withhold not thy hand. If there is to be a mighty increase, there must be a wide sowing. He which soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully. Let this subject, and these times, then, stir us all up to enlarged efforts, and to more lively hope of the near approach, the speedy coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then only shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

LECTURE XI.

THE PARTAKERS OF THE KINGDOM
CHARACTERIZED.

BY THE REV. T. R. BIRKS, M.A.,

RECTOR OF KELSHALL, HERTS.

PSALM XXIV. 3—5.

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

How striking is the contrast, my brethren, between the tumultuous changes in the world around us, and the calmness, the majesty, the unchanging stedfastness, of the word of God! When we look abroad at this moment, what a

troubled sea of interests and passions is on every side! Everywhere society is trembling, great fortunes are perishing, thrones tottering to their fall, the pillars of mighty kingdoms are cursed with rottenness, and crumble into dust. Men's hearts fail them for fear, and for looking after the things which are coming upon the earth, for the powers of heaven are shaken. But when we turn to the promises of God, all is calm and stedfast, pure and everlasting truth. The Lord reigneth, though the people may tremble: He sitteth between the cherubim, though the earth be moved. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is that which shall not be destroyed. The floods may lift up their voice, the floods may lift up their waves; the surges of human passion may fill the world with alarm; but the Lord on high is mightier than the voice of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. His testimonies are very sure, His promises can never fail us, and every one of His righteous judgments endureth for ever. Here we may anchor our souls in safety, amidst the wildest storms of these latter days; for He hath promised His people a kingdom that cannot be moved, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.

R